Here is the legend about the Gudastviri (Bagpipe. Also called “Stviri”). During the reign of king Mirian, when people were pagan, it was common to sacrifice a human. The victim was burned on a bonfire.

Once the son of old parents was taken to sacrifice. Poor husband and wife had nobody in the world but their only child. The desperate father made a strange instrument and left for the city where the king lived. Every evening he climbed the nearby hill and played that instrument. Everybody, hearing his music couldn’t help being amazed and captivated.

Gudastviri Samples

Once the king heard the strange tune and ordered to take the musician to him. The old man refused to go until the king pledged to make any of his wish come true. When the old man came to the king, he asked who he was and what that amazing instrument was called.

- This is called “Vstiri” (“I’m weeping”- in Georgian), said the old man. And you know who I am? The most miserable human ever born on earth.

Saying this, the old man blew the instrument. As a song, he told the whole story of his sorrow, asking the king to let his son free.

The whole world seemed to fell silent, listening to the weeping song of the man. Everybody caught breath to listen to it. The proud kind got angry at the man’s request and ordered to put him into dungeon. Then the queen modestly reminded the king of his word, and appealed to keep it.

The king went silent, hesitated for a minute. He was suffering the inner struggle. Finally he uttered:

Old "Mestvire" (Gudastviri player)

- As the king of Iberia, I give order to forbid pyrolatria. Let everybody know about it. Unlock the door of the dungeon and immediately give the boy back to his father.

Storm of applause and music divulged the surroundings and the high sky. With overwhelming emotions the old man turned into a stone sculpture.

- It is said; high in the mountains, in the kingdom of waterfalls you can still see a sculpture of the old man with a Gudastviri in his hands. And the whole surrounding is saturated with rich and stunning tunes, capturing all the passersby.